Festival programme extended in Greenisland

The Mayor of the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Billy Ashe, with Joan Caldwell of the Knockagh School of Dancing. INCT 29-755-CON

Published:10:30Thursday 23 July 2015

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A one-day Twelfth of July celebration has developed into a fortnight-long community festival in Greenisland

The Traditional Festival programme is delivered by Greenisland Community Association and supported by several community groups.

A young festival-goer on the inflatable slide. INCT 29-756-CON

Since its inception four years ago, the festival has grown in popularity and is now an eagerly-awaited date in the Greenisland calendar.

This year, with the support of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the organisers were able to roll out additional attractions which included a funfair.

A statement from the community association noted that everyone attending benefitted from the festival and there was something for all age groups including arts and crafts, cooking, traditional fife fluting, painting, modelling and traditional dress.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Council, Councillor Billy Ashe dropped by and commented on the popularity of the event and was pleased to see community groups working together.

"Tidy bonfire" at Greenisland. INCT 29-758-CON

The statement continued: “Next year the organisers are hoping to encourage more ethnic groups to become involved in the preparation and delivery of the festival.

“The organisers would like to thank all those who helped with the preparation and running of the festival and a special thanks to the Mace, Greenisland, who have supported this and other community events every year.”

The association also pointed out to traditional bonfire constructed for the Eleventh night which followed council guidelines in that there were no tyres in or on it and residents ensured the area was kept clean.